By Sulyn Chong
SHAH ALAM, Nov 17 — The presence of sign language interpreters in all of Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) Hannah Yeoh’s ceramahs in Segambut sets them apart from the rest this 15th general election (GE15).
The Harapan candidate for Segambut parliamentary seat said the decision to include sign language interpreters in her ceramahs came about after witnessing a group of people communicating with each other but without any audible sound.
“One guy then walked up to me, tapped me on the shoulder, and wrote a note saying he was a voter in Segambut.
“That hit me. It hit me to start thinking about all my campaign programmes. Did I include them? Could they even hear my message?” she was quoted in an interview with Malay Mail, yesterday.
Yeoh managed to secure the professional service of a small team of interpreters that followed her to all her campaign rallies within Segambut.
“So, we later found that they had only done translations for political campaigns in Singapore but not in Malaysia.
“I told them I wanted to invite them to come, and after the first time (ceramah gig), now they are telling me the deaf community are all following my Facebook Live for ceramahs,” she said.
The incumbent Segambut MP said the entire experience was enlightening as she begins to learn more about sign language.
Meanwhile, Harapan candidate for Subang parliamentary seat Wong Chen assured voters that the coalition has a very comprehensive campaign trail where his staff and campaign manager set him extensive daily agendas.
“We are doing around a minimum of eight to about 14 events a day on average. We also help out on a national level. I have been campaigning in Ledang (Johor), Tanjung Malim (Perak), Kuala Langat, and PJ (Petaling Jaya), which is my neighbour.
“We are trying our best to help our friends who are in riskier seats. Subang is relatively more stable and the campaign so far is going reasonably well. I am happy,” he said during an interview with Sinar Daily, yesterday.
Wong said his confidence stems from the fact that he has been the incumbent for two terms and voters are rather familiar with him.
“As for Kinrara, I was only there for one term, and half of that was during Covid-19 (pandemic) time, so we could not meet. I am trying my very best to catch up with the people of Kinrara,” he said.
The Subang candidate added that voters have generally been responsive and understand that GE15 is a national campaign dealing with parliamentary matters, not local government matters.
“They are looking for a candidate who can deal with national issues and international issues. Primarily, we are campaigning on grounds like reforms with an anti-corruption stance and broadly, everybody is worried about the economy,” he said.
As for Harapan candidate for Puchong parliamentary seat Yeo Bee Yin, she showed gratitude and appreciation to the people for their unwavering support for the coalition in a Facebook post yesterday.
“My heart was deeply touched by the spirit of unity and unwavering support shown by supporters regardless of race, religion and culture at the Pakatan Harapan Puchong Permai ceramah (on Monday).
“Come on, let’s build a new Malaysia together!” she said.
Meanwhile, Harapan candidate for Seputeh parliamentary seat Teresa Kok said the coalition has pledged to table the Climate Change Act in Parliament in hopes to set targets for control of carbon emissions and forest coverage by 2040.
“It is in our Tawaran Harapan manifesto. This general election is a good opportunity to reset our efforts against global warming.
“We need more dedicated leaders to handle the disasters caused by the climate change crisis. Support Harapan, for the sake of future generations,” she said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Kok also added a reminder that our country is not exempted from the effects of climate change.
“The weather is now very unpredictable. Flash floods are much more frequent. Thus, sustainability and environmental protection become more relevant today,” she said.
